From the Film Maker...

'A Knight with his Jousting Helmet' shows a man one supposes is a knight surrounded by what one supposes is his armour; this proves not so much that this man had a lot of martial prowess, more that he had enough money to commission a painting of himself appearing so.

The Bandit King likewise wishes to appear as though he has fighting skills while merely possessing panache, which is usually enough to intimidate potential rivals into surrender without an actual fight.

When encountering a man who may be covered in dung, and who is not easily blanched by flashy swordplay, his fighting skills are put to the test.
Gareth Harfoot